What it does
StarDrops gently releases liquid, reducing the fear children feel from sharp applicator tips. It features an angled visual guide, encouraging children to look upward, shifting attention and preventing drops from falling onto the center of the eye.
Your inspiration
The inspiration for StarDrops came from watching my young niece struggle with eye drops for conjunctivitis. She cried and resisted, forcing adults to hold her head and aim the bottle quickly, which was both ineffective and traumatic. This common fear of eye drops made me wonder if we could redesign the experience to make children willing participants. I envisioned a toy-like telescope with a kaleidoscope of glowing stars, redirecting their focus and easing the process. "Look at the stars and get your medicine" turned a painful moment into a more comfortable one, leading to the creation of StarDrops—a gentle, emotional buffer for children.
How it works
StarDrops is a non-direct device for eye drop application, using a soft microporous membrane that allows the liquid to slowly form droplets and fall gently. It replaces traditional sharp nozzles with a central 1.5 mm opening for directional dripping, surrounded by micropores to regulate fluid release. StarDrops has a soft silicone pad to fit around the child’s eye, preventing discomfort. The membrane is positioned 5–10 mm above the eye, reducing contamination risks and is magnetically attached for easy replacement. The eye drop bottle fits into the device, and a rotating clamping mechanism gently compresses the bottle, controlling drop speed. A kaleidoscope mirror near the lens redirects attention upward, ensuring drops avoid the pupil. The rotating mechanism creates slight refraction, adding a playful visual element. StarDrops transforms eye drop application into a calm, child-friendly experience, removing fear and making it effortless.
Design process
We researched children’s emotional resistance during eye drop application, analyzing traditional droppers and interviewing parents and pediatric ophthalmologists. They emphasized that the challenge was not the medicine, but the child's fear of the sharp nozzle, which often leads to mistakes or injury. From this, we defined three design goals: non-direct dispensing, safe contact, and a child-friendly appearance. We aimed to eliminate downward aiming pressure and sought a smooth, passive fluid release, settling on a flexible microporous membrane. After testing various materials, we chose regenerated cellulose (RC) for its biocompatibility, controllable pore size, and biodegradability. Using 3D printing, we created telescope-shaped housings and tested variables like liquid flow, drip rate, and bottle compatibility. To increase acceptance, we incorporated a kaleidoscope mirror, guiding children to "look at the star" rather than focusing on the medicine. This approach proved effective in trials. With user feedback shaping each prototype, StarDrops balanced safety, usability, and emotional relief. We also developed a user guide for easy, independent operation. Future phases will focus on long-term acceptance and broader usability testing.
How it is different
StarDrops transforms anxiety into care, providing a gentle alternative to the overwhelming eye drop process for children. It eliminates the fear of sharp structures by using a flexible microporous membrane that softly releases liquid, replacing dread with calm anticipation. Through playful design and interaction, the telescope shape, kaleidoscope pattern, and rotating mechanism make the child an active participant, turning anxiety into focus. The design directs drops away from the cornea, minimizing discomfort, while the gentle upward gaze makes the process feel natural and comforting. Built with hygiene and sustainability in mind, the replaceable magnetic membrane is made from biodegradable regenerated cellulose (RC). StarDrops is more than a device; it’s a respectful, calming experience that transforms caregiving into something gentle and reassuring.
Future plans
Our next step is usability testing in home environments, observing children’s responses to StarDrops during real eye drop routines, especially when moving, to ensure safe, gentle delivery. We will refine the design based on feedback, improving the rotary knob, offering different-sized silicone pads, and enhancing the membrane replacement mechanism. For mass production, we will use injection molding with durable, skin-friendly materials like ABS or PP. We will assess costs to scale effectively. Finally, we plan to collaborate with parenting platforms and pediatricians to promote StarDrops as a tool for gentle caregiving.
Share this page on